u-tech media, a taiwan-based manufacturer of pre-recorded media, announced that it has obtained certification from the blu-ray disc association (bda) for the production of 50gb (double-layer) bd-rom discs. this makes u-tech the first replicator in asia outside of japan to receive that certification. the company expects to begin shipments in the third quarter of 2009.

u-tech completed installation of its first (single-layer) bd production line in october 2008. shortly thereafter, it announced that it had received several urgent orders from major hollywood studios. nevertheless, shipped volumes so far have been small, accounting for less than 10 percent of the total shipment volume of pre-recorded discs. now the company expects that the new 50gb bd-rom certification will help u-tech compete for blu-ray disc orders and boost its shipment volumes.

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